[Sorry, it's still a bit troublesome to complete the Mona Lisa candy art. Please wait a little longer…]
When Asakura made the call, the first thing he heard was Asagumo Chihaya's apology.
She probably mistook Asakura's call as a Urge to finish the challenge quickly.
"Chihaya, it's okay to put the challenge aside for now. Please come to the classroom."
[Classroom?]
Asagumo Chihaya's voice on the other end sounded a bit bewildered.
"It's the Japanese style pavilion."
Asakura said: "Yukino and Yui found traces of those two, but it's not good for us to go in directly. It would be more convenient with your help."
After all, Japanese style pavilion was different from ordinary shops; it also offered various kimono rentals, which naturally included changing rooms. Asakura didn't even need to mention himself, even Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui couldn't search through every changing room one by one. Doing so would definitely get them kicked out for causing trouble.
Moreover, since those two hadn't come out for so long, it was normal for them to have slipped into the back kitchen or other areas accessible only to staff. At a time like this, Asagumo Chihaya, being a member of that class, would find it very convenient to look for people.
After receiving Asakura's notification, Asagumo Chihaya quickly arrived.
"Sorry, I'm a little late."
"It's okay…"
Before Asakura could finish speaking, the girl handed him a Holy Grail-shaped aromatherapy candle holder.
"Although it took a lot of time, I finally got it."
Asagumo Chihaya said with a radiant smile.
"Wow, is the Mona Lisa candy art really completable?"
Yuigahama Yui, who had finally managed to hug little Eriri and was rubbing her cheeks against her, exclaimed in surprise.
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't speak, but just looked at Yuigahama Yui with a subtle expression of 'I'm so envious'.
"It's not that simple to successfully complete the challenge..." Asagumo Chihaya showed a sickly sweet smile: "So I ate all the Mona Lisa candy art at that stall."
"You worked hard…"
Asakura silently put down the candle holder in his hand: "Mainly in terms of insulin."
The candle holder had 'Wishes can be granted' written on it in crayon, but there was no magic left on it now. Judging by the barely visible crack on the candle holder, it should have been absorbed by Asagumo Chihaya, just like the initial thermos cup.
"Rather than a completion reward, it's more like a consolation prize."
Yukinoshita Yukino said abruptly.
"Yes, but isn't it better than someone who doesn't even get a consolation prize?"
Asagumo Chihaya said with a sweet smile.
"It's not that there was no reward; it's just that the Student Council's reward had already been taken, and I wasn't interested in other prizes."
Yukinoshita Yukino said seriously.
"I didn't say it was Yukinoshita, you know."
Asagumo Chihaya said with a smile. It seemed she was quite resentful about losing to Yukino in the nervous breakdown game, which led her to eat a pile of candy, severely exceeding her calorie and sugar intake.
"I didn't mean to target Asagumo-san, but some methods, even if they achieve the goal, are ultimately not as reliable as the righteous path."
Yukinoshita Yukino remained unswayed.
"Then, that!"
Yuigahama Yui spoke loudly, interrupting the inexplicably awkward atmosphere between the two: "Aren't we going in? Japanese style pavilion."
"You're right. Then I, as a server at Japanese style pavilion, will take everyone in to play."
Asagumo Chihaya's smile became much more genuine.
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't continue the pursuit, just nodded.
Yuigahama Yui breathed a sigh of relief.
Asakura gave her a thumbs-up, then cleared his throat: "Yui, if you don't relax your arm a bit, little Eriri is going to be suffocated by you."
"Wah, ah, sorry!"
Yuigahama Yui quickly released her grip.
Little Eriri, who had almost drowned in a pile of soft flesh, ran tearfully behind Asakura, looking pitifully like 'Big Thunder is so scary'.
"This child is?"
Asagumo Chihaya then turned her gaze to the little one.
Asakura could only repeat the explanation he had just given to Yukino and the others.
Fortunately, Asagumo Chihaya didn't have many questions about it.
The group walked grandly into Japanese style pavilion. Inside, unlike other shops that operate as cafes, there were only three or four tables, almost all occupied. What was more striking were the surrounding racks filled with various kimonos, giving one the illusion of being in a clothing store.
"Since you're here, everyone should change into kimonos. We also provide clothing storage services here."
Asagumo Chihaya, already wearing a kimono, said with a sweet smile: "Takuma-kun can also change into a jinbei. I can give you some suggestions."
"I'll have the boys in your class help with the clothes. Chihaya, you go help Yukino, Yui, and little Eriri pick out suitable clothes."
Asakura scanned the dining customers, not finding the two people Yukinoshita Yukino mentioned, but a certain disharmony in the air subtly made him aware of something amiss.
If his Truth Vision hadn't fully recovered at this moment, perhaps just a glance with Truth Vision would have revealed the problem.
However, even so, Asakura had some guesses: "If I come out slower later, you don't need to come looking for me… If there's any problem, I'll use my phone and…"
He made a'snake' mouth shape, "…notify you."
Asagumo Chihaya, who was about to say something, immediately understood that Asakura had discovered something when he said this. She obediently nodded and led the girls to the women's kimono area.
Yuigahama Yui seemed to feel nothing, happily pulling little Eriri, who kept looking back, to choose kimonos.
Yukinoshita Yukino, however, seemed to realize something. She nodded towards Asakura, didn't say much, but her expression became a little somber, and then she followed Yuigahama Yui.
Asakura scratched his head in confusion, didn't pay too much attention, casually picked a jinbei, and chose an empty changing room to put it on.
However, after that, he didn't go out directly, but stomped his foot on the ground in the changing room.
"Hey, come out."
The next moment, the Fox Spirit emerged from the shadows, like a big dog, wanting to rub affectionately against Asakura, but was kicked away by the latter.
He knew what this thing's true form looked like.
"Show me, is this space distorted?"
Asakura asked the Fox Spirit.
The Fox Spirit let out a somewhat chilling laugh, which implicitly confirmed Asakura's guess was correct.
Once he understood this, what needed to be done next was much simpler.